Motor Mount Assembly

ABSTRACT

A motor mount assembly for mounting a motor to a marine craft includes a transom mounting bracket for mounting the motor to a transom of the marine craft. A first swivel bracket is rotatably coupled to the transom mounting bracket to allow the motor to swivel around a first axis with respect to the marine craft. A second swivel bracket is rotatably coupled to the first swivel bracket to enable the motor to swivel around a second axis with respect to the first swivel bracket. An orientation of the first axis is fixed with respect to an orientation of the second axis.

BACKGROUND

Outboard motors are attached to the transom of a boat by means of amotor mount. Outboard motors are designed to power and steer a boat. Themotor mount assembly consists of two parts, a boat mount bracket andswivel mount bracket. The boat mount bracket attaches to the boat bymeans of a clamp and/or bolts. The swivel mount bracket attaches theboat mount bracket to the marine engine and drive assembly. The swivelmount contains two swivel points. The first swivel point is attached tothe boat mount and allows the marine engine and outdrive to rotatevertically along one axis. The resulting motion allows the propeller tobe raised or lowered in relation to the surface of the water. The secondswivel point attaches to the marine engine and outdrive and rotatesalong a horizontal plane. The resulting movement allows the propeller tobe moved port or starboard which steers the boat. Traditional motormounts are designed to be operated manually or power assisted byhydraulics or by electric motor in the vertical and horizontal movementaxis. Traditional motor mounts contain one horizontal and one verticalpivot point. Traditional outboard motor mounts are configured to sustainlimited impacts before breaking

SUMMARY

The present technology provides a motor mount assembly for mounting amotor to a marine craft in accordance with an embodiment. The motormount assembly according to this embodiment includes a transom mountingbracket for mounting the motor to a transom of the marine craft. A firstvertical swivel bracket is rotatably coupled to the transom mountingbracket to allow the motor to swivel vertically around a firsthorizontal axis with respect to the marine craft. A second swivelbracket is rotatably coupled to the first vertical swivel bracket toenable the motor to swivel outwardly and upwardly around a second axiswith respect to the first swivel bracket. An orientation of the firstaxis is fixed with respect to an orientation of the second axis.

In accordance with another embodiment, a motor mount assembly formounting a motor to a marine craft includes a transom mounting bracketto mount the motor to a transom of the marine craft. A first swivelbracket is rotatably coupled to the transom mounting bracket to allowthe motor to swivel around a first axis with respect to the marinecraft. A second swivel bracket is rotatably coupled to the firstvertical swivel bracket, the second vertical swivel bracket enabling themotor to swivel outwardly and upwardly around a second axis with respectto the first swivel bracket. The first and second axes can be positionedabove the transom.

In accordance with another embodiment, a motor mount assembly formounting a motor to a marine craft includes a transom mounting bracketto mount the motor to a transom of the marine craft. A first swivelbracket is rotatably coupled to the transom mounting bracket to allowthe motor to swivel around a first axis with respect to the marinecraft. A second swivel bracket is rotatably coupled to the firstvertical swivel bracket, the second vertical swivel bracket enabling themotor to swivel outwardly and upwardly around a second axis with respectto the first swivel bracket. The first swivel bracket rotates around thefirst axis when actuated by an actuator and the second swivel bracketrotates freely around the second axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a motor mount in accordance with an embodimentof the present technology;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of the motor mount of FIG. 1Aillustrating an arrangement of mounting brackets within the motor mount;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a motor mount includingmultiple swivel brackets in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a swivel bracket coupled to an actuatorin accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIGS. 4A-4B are respectively perspective and side views of a secondswivel bracket in accordance with embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a motor mount with a first swivelbracket coupled thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 6A is a side view of an outboard motor boat with a motor mountedthereto using a motor mount in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a portion of the outboard motor boat ofFIG. 6A; and

FIG. 6C is a side view of an outboard motor coupled to a motor mount inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the technology, it should beunderstood that other embodiments may be realized and that variouschanges to the technology may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present technology. Thus, the following more detaileddescription of the embodiments of the present technology is not intendedto limit the scope of the technology, as claimed, but is presented forpurposes of illustration only and not limitation to describe thefeatures and characteristics of the present technology, to set forth thebest mode of operation of the technology, and to sufficiently enable oneskilled in the art to practice the technology. Accordingly, the scope ofthe present technology is to be defined solely by the appended claims.

Definitions

In describing and claiming the present technology, the followingterminology will be used.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a rail” includes reference to one or more of such materials andreference to “attaching” refers to one or more such steps.

As used herein with respect to an identified property or circumstance,“substantially” refers to a degree of deviation that is sufficientlysmall so as to not measurably detract from the identified property orcircumstance. The exact degree of deviation allowable may in some casesdepend on the specific context.

As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures orelements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent”may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near orclose to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exactdegree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary.

Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in anyorder and are not limited to the order presented in the claims.Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only beemployed where for a specific claim limitation all of the followingconditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for”is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expresslyrecited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plusfunction are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly,the scope of the technology should be determined solely by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions andexamples given herein.

Motor Mount Assembly

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, andspecific language will be used herein to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of thetechnology is thereby intended. Additional features and advantages ofthe technology will be apparent from the detailed description whichfollows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichtogether illustrate, by way of example, features of the technology.

With the general examples set forth in the Summary above, it is noted inthe present disclosure that when describing the system, or the relateddevices or methods, individual or separate descriptions are consideredapplicable to one other, whether or not explicitly discussed in thecontext of a particular example or embodiment. For example, indiscussing the motor mount assembly per se, other device, system, and/ormethod embodiments are also included in such discussions, and viceversa.

Furthermore, various modifications and combinations can be derived fromthe present disclosure and illustrations, and as such, the followingfigures should not be considered limiting.

As has been described, previous mounting brackets or assemblies formounting an outboard motor to an outboard motor boat or marine crafthave limitations in regard to managing engine weight, balance and theability for the marine engine to freely ride up and over obstacles inshallow water. Being able to position the engine balance swivel pointnearer to the engine center of gravity allows more control and ease ofuse by the operator when motoring through obstacle ridden waterways, forlifting the motor with the handle over logs and debris, and for liftingthe motor to clear vegetation from the propeller.

Conventional marine motors are designed with hydraulic electric trimunits attached directly to the single swivel bracket. Although suchmotors are designed to release during severe impacts, they are notdesigned to encounter severe impacts from rocks or logs more than adozen or so times during the life of the trim unit. Having a second andfree motion swivel bracket as with the present technology allows thefirst swivel bracket to be mounted directly to the hydraulic/electrictrim unit, while the second swivel bracket is free to move vertically upand down during impacts. This arrangement provides more utility andlonger life to a shallow running marine motor.

If a single pivot point is located closer to where the motor attaches tothe bracket, the motor will pivot more easily on the bracket, reducingeffort or force used to tilt the motor. However, maintaining a positionof the motor pivoted with the pivot at this location can involve moreforce than if the pivot were positioned closer to the inside of the boatand farther from the motor. Also, the force for lifting the motor bypushing directly upward, such as with a hydraulic cylinder, is greaterthan if the pivot where positioned closer to the inside of the boat andfarther from the motor. Accordingly, conventional designs have placedthe pivot closer to the inside of the boat and farther from the motor.This facilitates use of a hydraulic cylinder to push upward to pivot themotor out away from the boat. Also, this position enables betterdistribution of the weight of the motor over the transom so that lessforce is used to maintain the raised position of the motor. However, inthis configuration, a horizontal force, such as from an impact with arock or branch in the water may cause greater damage to the motorbecause the horizontal force involved in pivoting the motor is greater.Further, when a hydraulic cylinder is used, the motor cannot freelypivot to reduce damage to the motor upon impact with an object.

The present technology provides a motor mounting assembly with benefitsof hydraulic mounts and free mounts (i.e., mounts that pivot freely uponapplication of a force), and with the benefits of having a pivot pointcloser to the motor and a pivot point closer to the inside of the boat.

In FIGS. 1A-1B, a mounting assembly, indicated generally at 100, isshown in accordance with an example implementation of the presenttechnology. FIG. 1A is a side view of a motor mount assembly (also knownas a clamp or a yoke) in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of the motormount of FIG. 1A illustrating an arrangement of mounting brackets withinthe motor mount.

The mounting assembly includes a transom mounting bracket 110 to mountthe motor to a transom of the marine craft. In some examples, thetransom mounting bracket may comprise a plurality of transom mountingbrackets which are coupled together directly or indirectly. In FIG. 1A,the transom mounting bracket at least partially obscures a view ofswivel brackets 115, 120 (shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) contained within themounting assembly 100. In FIG. 1B, one of a plurality of transommounting brackets has been removed to illustrate the cross-sectionalview of FIG. 1A. However, a remaining transom mounting bracket isvisible behind the swivel brackets.

The transom mounting bracket can include one or more clamp screws 125 orthe like for securely fastening the mounting assembly to a transom, asis commonly found with outboard motor mounting assemblies. The transommounting bracket can be bolted to the transom of the boat. The transommounting bracket can provide a housing or attachment structure for theswivel mounting brackets and optionally for a hydraulic actuator 130.

The transom mounting bracket 110, as well as the various other swivelbrackets, 115, 120, screws 125, and other components can be made of asturdy material sufficient to bear the weight of the motor and anadditional degree of stress or weight. The various components may bemade of a metal material, such as steel or the like.

A first swivel bracket 115 is rotatably coupled to the transom mountingbracket 110 to allow the motor to swivel around a first axis withrespect to the marine craft. A second swivel bracket 120 is rotatablycoupled to the first vertical swivel bracket. The second vertical swivelbracket can enable the motor to swivel around a second axis with respectto the first swivel bracket. The first and second swivel brackets can berotated independently of one another to provide multiple pivot points117, 122 for adjusting a tilt or orientation of the motor with respectto the marine craft. The use of first and second swivel brackets canprovide different mechanical advantages at the different swivel points.

In one example, an orientation of the first axis can be fixed withrespect to an orientation of the second axis. In other words, in anexample where the first axis is a horizontally oriented axis, the secondaxis can have a fixed orientation with respect to the first axis,regardless of pivoting of the first or second swivel brackets. In apreferred embodiment, the first and second swivel brackets are fixed inan orientation substantially parallel to one another, although otherconfigurations are also possible. Therefore, in an example reference toaxes being “fixed” with respect to one another, the axes can have afixed angular orientation with respect to one another.

Although not explicitly shown, the first swivel bracket 115 can rotateupwardly and outwardly from the mounting bracket 110 around the firsthorizontal pivot axis 117. Also, the second swivel bracket 120 canrotate upwardly and outwardly from the first swivel bracket and/or themounting bracket around the second horizontal pivot axis 122. As usedherein, a “vertical swivel bracket” is a bracket which swivelsvertically (e.g.,

The first and second swivel brackets 115, 120 may be referred to hereinas “vertical” swivel brackets. A vertical swivel bracket, as referred toherein, is a bracket which enables swiveling or pivoting circularlyupwardly or downwardly around a horizontal axis. In contrast, a“horizontal” swivel bracket is one which enables swiveling or pivotingcircularly from side to side around a vertical axis. Similarly, ahorizontal swivel is a swivel or pivot circularly in a sidewarddirection.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of a portion of a motor mountassembly 200 which shows the first 210 and second 215 vertical swivelbrackets with a horizontal swivel axis 220 for turning a motor. Thehorizontal swivel axis enables the motor to swivel or turn side to sidewith respect to a marine craft to steer the marine craft. The motor iscoupled to the mount assembly along the horizontal swivel axis, such asby inserting a bolt, pin, or other structure of the motor through thesubstantially vertical opening 225 in the second swivel bracket.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is a hydraulic cylinder 235 coupled between thefirst swivel bracket 210 and an actuator mount 230. The actuator mountextends between and is coupled to the transom mounting bracketsdescribed in FIGS. 1A-1B and provides a support against which thehydraulic cylinder can apply a force to push against the first swivelbracket for raising the motor. The actuator mount may be a separate,individual unit, or may be integrally formed as part of the mountingassembly, or more specifically of one or more of the mounting brackets.FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate view of the assembly of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A-4B are respectively perspective and side views of a secondswivel bracket 400 in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology. The second swivel bracket attaches at the second horizontalpivot axis 405 (see also, axis 122 of FIG. 1B) to the first swivelbracket, such as with a bolt or other mechanical coupling which enablespivoting. The second swivel bracket can include a support plate 410 forsupporting the motor mount 415.

In one aspect, the support plate 410 and motor mount 415 may comprise athird swivel bracket. The third swivel bracket can be coupled betweenthe motor and the second swivel bracket to enable the motor to beswiveled around a third axis. Generally, the third axis can benon-parallel to the first or second axes. In a one specific example, thethird axis can be substantially perpendicular to the first and/or secondaxes.

The second vertical swivel bracket 400 can include one or more arms 420for supporting the second vertical swivel bracket against the firstvertical swivel bracket or against the transom mounting bracket. Thearms can be spaced apart to extend around the first swivel bracket orthe hydraulic cylinder. The second vertical swivel bracket can beconfigured to freely rotate around the horizontal pivot axis 405. Assuch, the weight of the motor may generally hold the second verticalswivel bracket substantially adjacent to or in contact with the firstswivel bracket and/or transom bracket in a non-pivoted position, unlessfor example contact is made with an obstacle in a body of water. Thesecond swivel axis can be located between the first swivel axis and themotor such that a force pushing or pulling the motor upwardly andoutwardly from the boat can be smaller than if the motor were pivoted atthe first swivel axis. For example, with the motor able to pivot freelyon the second swivel axis, if an obstruction in the water isencountered, the motor can freely pivot to minimize damage to the motor.If the motor were instead to pivot at the first pivot axis rather thanthe second pivot axis, the force to pivot the motor would be greater,thus increasing the likelihood of damage to the motor, actuator and/ormount upon collision with an object. In an example embodiment, thesecond swivel bracket is located outside the transom and closer to theengine and outdrive center of gravity to allow the second swivel bracketto pivot vertically when the motor hits an object in water. In otherembodiments, the second swivel bracket and/or the second swivel axis maybe partially or wholly located inside the transom, but potential damageto the motor may increase as compared with the configuration with thesecond bracket outside the transom. Further, such a configuration mayinvolve additional force to lift/raise the motor.

As described herein, reference to “inside” and “outside” the transom orthe marine craft uses the transom as a vertical point of demarcationwith a side facing the interior of the marine craft and a side facing amotor. A position on the side facing the interior of the marine craft isconsidered the “inside” of the transom or marine craft, and a positionon the side facing the motor is considered the “outside” of the transomor marine craft. The terms “inside” or “outside” thus do not necessarilyconnote reference to a state of enclosure or a position physicallywithin the confines of another structure.

In one example, the motor can include a handle attached thereto. Thehandle can extend into the boat past the transom to provide leverage tolift the motor using the second swivel bracket. Conventionally, if amounting assembly has a swivel or pivot axis within the transom, or atleast closer to the transom than to the motor, the handle is not easilyused to raise the motor and is primarily used for steering operations.Due to the inclusion of the second swivel bracket and second pivot axis,the handle can be used for both steering operations and for raising orlowering the motor.

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a portion of a motor mountassembly 500 with a first swivel bracket 510 coupled thereto isillustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.In other words, in FIG. 5, the first swivel bracket is shown coupledbetween two transom mounting brackets 505. In some examples, the firstswivel bracket can be a non-freely rotating/pivoting bracket. Forexample, the first swivel bracket can be actuated by a hydraulic orother actuator, as has been described. The first swivel bracket canpivot around pivot axis 515 with respect to the transom mountingbrackets. The first swivel bracket can include a recess 520 forreceiving a portion of the second swivel bracket to couple the first andsecond swivel brackets together.

In one aspect, the first swivel bracket 510 includes a cushioning device525 on an outside thereof to cushion rotations of the second swivelbracket on the second axis. For example, the cushioning device may be arubber dampener, or any other suitable compressible and resilientmaterial. While, the cushioning device is illustrated on an outside ofthe first swivel bracket, the cushioning device may alternately bepositioned on an inside of one or more of the transom mounting brackets505, or in any other suitable position. Where the second swivel bracketfreely rotates on the first swivel bracket, an impact with an object inthe water can cause the motor to “bounce” or pivot on the second swivelbracket. When the motor falls and rotates back on the second pivot axis,the cushioning device can cushion the blow to reduce noise and potentialinjury to the motor, boat, and/or mounting assembly.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 6A-6C. FIG. 6A is a side view of anoutboard motor boat 610 with a motor 605 mounted thereto using a motormount in accordance with an example of the present technology. The motorincludes the handle 615 described above, which can be used for steeringand adjusting a trim or vertical positioning of the motor in the water.FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a portion of the outboard motor boat ofFIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a side view of an outboard motor coupled to a motormount in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

In the motor mount assembly illustrated, the first swivel bracket 620 iscoupled to an actuator 625 for setting a travel position of the motorbetween underwater and surface drive positions. The second swivelbracket 630 rotates freely on a second axis to absorb impacts while thefirst swivel bracket is fixed in the travel position.

The motor mount assembly can include clamp screws 635 coupled to thetransom mounting brackets 640 for temporary attachment of the transommounting bracket to the transom 645. The motor mount can be boltedand/or clamped to the transom of the boat. In accordance with oneexample, the first swivel bracket 620 is rotatably coupled to thetransom mounting bracket 640 to allow the motor to swivel around a firstaxis with respect to the marine craft, and the second swivel bracket 630is rotatably coupled to the first swivel bracket to enable the motor toswivel around a second axis with respect to the first swivel bracket.The first and second axes can be positioned above the transom as shownin FIGS. 6A-6B. An orientation of the first axis can be fixed withrespect to an orientation of the second axis.

In a more detailed example, the first swivel bracket 620 is directlycoupled to the transom mounting bracket 640 and has a resting positionin which a portion of the first swivel bracket rests against the transommounting bracket. The second swivel bracket 630 can be directly coupledto the first swivel bracket and can have a resting position in which aportion of the second swivel bracket rests against at least one of thefirst swivel bracket and the transom mounting bracket.

In accordance with another example, a motor mount assembly for mountinga motor to a marine craft includes a transom mounting bracket to mountthe motor to a transom of the marine craft. A first swivel bracket isrotatably coupled to the transom mounting bracket to allow the motor toswivel around a first axis with respect to the marine craft. A secondswivel bracket is rotatably coupled to the first vertical swivelbracket, the second vertical swivel bracket enabling the motor to swiveloutwardly and upwardly around a second axis with respect to the firstswivel bracket. The first swivel bracket rotates around the first axiswhen actuated by an actuator and the second swivel bracket rotatesfreely around the second axis.

At least one of the transom mounting bracket 640 and the first swivelbracket 620 may include a dampener attached thereto to cushion rotationsof the second swivel bracket on the second axis. The first swivelbracket can be coupled to an actuator 625 for setting a travel positionof the motor between underwater and surface drive positions, and thesecond swivel bracket can rotate on the second axis to absorb impactswhile the first swivel bracket is fixed in the travel position.

Although many of the examples herein refer to the second swivel bracketbeing a freely rotating bracket while the first swivel bracket does notfreely rotate, but is actuated by an actuator, various otherconfigurations are also contemplated. For example, the first swivelbracket may be freely rotating and second swivel bracket may beactuated. Alternatively, both the first and second swivel brackets maybe actuated. As another alternative, both the first and second swivelbrackets may be freely rotating.

In accordance with an example, the first and second axes can bepositioned above the transom. An orientation of the first axis can befixed with respect to an orientation of the second axis. The motor mountassembly first can include a third swivel bracket coupled between themotor and the second swivel bracket to enable the motor to be swiveledaround a third axis, the third axis being non-parallel to the first orsecond axes.

The motor mount assembly can be manufactured and/or sold as astand-alone product, or alternately may be manufactured and/or sold withan outboard motor for propelling a marine craft, such as an outboardmotor boat. The motor can be temporarily or permanently affixed to themotor mount assembly. Further, the motor mount assembly can bemanufactured and/or sold with an associated marine craft. The motormount assembly can be removably attachable to the marine craft, or maybe a permanent fixture of the marine craft. The motor mount assembly,marine craft, and motor may be manufactured and/or sold as a unit tofacilitate precision, convenience, and economies of scale.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of thepresent technology in one or more particular applications, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be madewithout the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing fromthe principles and concepts of the technology. Accordingly, it is notintended that the technology be limited, except as by the claims setforth below.

1. A motor mount assembly for mounting a motor to a marine craft,comprising: a transom mounting bracket to mount the motor to a transomof the marine craft; a first swivel bracket rotatably coupled to thetransom mounting bracket to allow the motor to swivel around a firstaxis with respect to the marine craft; and a second swivel bracketrotatably coupled to the first swivel bracket, the second swivel bracketenabling the motor to swivel around a second axis with respect to thefirst swivel bracket; wherein an orientation of the first axis is fixedwith respect to an orientation of the second axis.
 2. The motor mountassembly as in claim 1, wherein the second swivel axis is locatedbetween the first swivel axis and the motor.
 3. The motor mount assemblyas in claim 1, further comprising a handle attached to the motor and thehandle extends past the transom to provide leverage to lift the motorusing the second swivel bracket.
 4. The motor mount assembly as in claim1, wherein the second swivel bracket is located outside the transom toallow the second swivel bracket to pivot vertically when the motor hitsan object in water.
 5. The motor mount assembly as in claim 1, furthercomprising a third swivel bracket coupled between the motor and thesecond swivel bracket to enable the motor to be swiveled around a thirdaxis, the third axis being non-parallel to the first or second axes. 6.The motor mount assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first axis is afirst horizontal axis, the second axis is a second horizontal axis, andthe orientation of the first horizontal axis is fixed parallel withrespect to the orientation of the second horizontal axis.
 7. The motormount assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an actuator coupledbetween the transom mounting bracket and the first swivel bracket,which, when actuated, rotates the first swivel bracket on the transommounting bracket.
 8. The motor mount assembly as in claim 7, wherein thesecond swivel bracket rotates freely on the first swivel bracket.
 9. Themotor mount assembly as in claim 1, further comprising the motor,wherein the motor is an outboard motor configured to propel the marinecraft.
 10. The motor mount assembly as in claim 1, further comprisingthe marine craft, wherein the marine craft is an outboard marine craft.11. The motor mount assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first swivelbracket comprises a cushioning device on an outside thereof to cushionrotations of the second swivel bracket on the second axis.
 12. The motormount assembly as in claim 11, wherein the cushioning device comprises arubber dampener.
 13. The motor mount assembly as in claim 1, wherein thefirst swivel bracket is coupled to an actuator for setting a travelposition of the motor between underwater and surface drive positions,and the second swivel bracket rotates on the second axis to absorbimpacts while the first swivel bracket is fixed in the travel position.14. The motor mount assembly as in claim 1, wherein the transom mountingbracket comprises a clamp screw for temporary attachment of the transommounting bracket to the transom.
 15. A motor mount assembly for mountinga motor to a marine craft, comprising: a transom mounting bracket tomount the motor to a transom of the marine craft; a first verticalswivel bracket rotatably coupled to the transom mounting bracket toallow the motor to swivel around a first axis with respect to the marinecraft; and a second vertical swivel bracket rotatably coupled to thefirst vertical swivel bracket, the second vertical swivel bracketenabling the motor to swivel around a second axis with respect to thefirst swivel bracket; wherein the first and second axes are positionedabove the transom.
 16. The motor mount assembly as in claim 15, wherein:the first vertical swivel bracket is directly coupled to the transommounting bracket and has a resting position in which a portion of thefirst vertical swivel bracket rests against the transom mountingbracket; and the second vertical swivel bracket is directly coupled tothe first vertical swivel bracket and has a resting position in which aportion of the second swivel bracket rests against at least one of thefirst swivel bracket and a cushion supported by the first swivelbracket.
 17. The motor mount assembly as in claim 15, wherein: the firstswivel bracket rotates around the first axis when actuated by anactuator and the second swivel bracket rotates freely around the secondaxis; and an orientation of the first axis is fixed with respect to anorientation of the second axis.
 18. A motor mount assembly for mountinga motor to a marine craft, comprising: a transom mounting bracket tomount the motor to a transom of the marine craft; a first swivel bracketrotatably coupled to the transom mounting bracket to allow the motor toswivel around a first axis with respect to the marine craft; and asecond swivel bracket rotatably coupled to the first swivel bracket, thesecond swivel bracket enabling the motor to swivel around a second axiswith respect to the first swivel bracket; wherein the first swivelbracket rotates around the first axis when actuated by an actuator andthe second swivel bracket rotates freely around the second axis.
 19. Themotor mount assembly as in claim 18, wherein: at least one of thetransom mounting bracket and the first swivel bracket comprises adampener on an outside thereof to cushion rotations of the second swivelbracket on the second axis; and the first swivel bracket is coupled toan actuator for setting a travel position of the motor betweenunderwater and surface drive positions, and the second swivel bracketrotates on the second axis to absorb impacts while the first swivelbracket is fixed in the travel position.
 20. The motor mount assembly asin claim 18, wherein: the first and second axes are positioned above thetransom; an orientation of the first axis is fixed with respect to anorientation of the second axis; and the motor mount assembly firstcomprises a third swivel bracket coupled between the motor and thesecond swivel bracket to enable the motor to be swiveled around a thirdaxis, the third axis being non-parallel to the first or second axes.